Charity<ref>Charity means [[Dāna]].<ref> is considered as a virtue in religion that rewards good [[karma]] to the generous giver.</ref> It is one of the 10 niyamas.<ref>Niyamas means essential customs for human mokśa.</ref> Both [[Dāna]] and [[dayā]] are expounded by Patanjali to the [[asuras]]<ref>[[Asuras]] means demons.</ref> to civilize them. [[Kama]] is to be conquered by [[dama]] or self-control, krodha is to be overcome by [[dayā]] or compassion and [[lobha]] or greed by dāna or gifts.</ref> In the "Pativratya-mahatmya Parva" of the [[Mahābharata]], in the "Vara Parva, "Savitri is following [[deva]] [[Yama]] into the beyond and he is taking away Satyavan. [[Yama]] asks her to stay back. She says: Where my husband is being taken, or where he goes, I should follow him. This is the Sanātan Dharma. A little later when she pursues her path and Yama asks her to return, she says, "Compassion and charity are the Sanātan Dharma."<ref>P. 271 The [[Vedanta]] Kesari, Volume 83, Issue 2, By Sri Ramakrishna Math</ref>

+

Charity<ref>Charity means [[Dāna]].</ref> is considered as a virtue in religion that rewards good [[karma]] to the generous giver. It is one of the 10 niyamas.<ref>Niyamas means essential customs for human mokśa.</ref> Both [[Dāna]] and [[dayā]] are expounded by Patanjali to the [[asuras]]<ref>[[Asuras]] means demons.</ref> to civilize them. [[Kama]] is to be conquered by [[dama]] or self-control, krodha is to be overcome by [[dayā]] or compassion and [[lobha]] or greed by dāna or gifts.</ref> In the "Pativratya-mahatmya Parva" of the [[Mahābharata]], in the "Vara Parva, "Savitri is following [[deva]] [[Yama]] into the beyond and he is taking away Satyavan. [[Yama]] asks her to stay back. She says: Where my husband is being taken, or where he goes, I should follow him. This is the Sanātan Dharma. A little later when she pursues her path and Yama asks her to return, she says, "Compassion and charity are the Sanātan Dharma."<ref>P. 271 The [[Vedanta]] Kesari, Volume 83, Issue 2, By Sri Ramakrishna Math</ref>

Compassion for others goes to the extent of respecting the proper burial of adversaries. In Ramāyaṇa<ref>Ramāyaṇa 3.2</ref> of [[Valmiki]], the rakṣ[[asa]]<ref>Rakṣasa means demon.</ref> Virādha says to [[Rama]] to give his body a proper burial because it is the Sanātana Dharma to give a rakṣasa such.<ref>P. 49 Rāmāyaṇa: The forest. Book three By Vālmīki </ref>

Compassion for others goes to the extent of respecting the proper burial of adversaries. In Ramāyaṇa<ref>Ramāyaṇa 3.2</ref> of [[Valmiki]], the rakṣ[[asa]]<ref>Rakṣasa means demon.</ref> Virādha says to [[Rama]] to give his body a proper burial because it is the Sanātana Dharma to give a rakṣasa such.<ref>P. 49 Rāmāyaṇa: The forest. Book three By Vālmīki </ref>

Latest revision as of 23:59, 3 September 2017

Sanātan Dharma is a phrase used to refer to the right way of conduct but on a general note it refers to Hinduism. The reason why it has been applied as a synonym to 'Hindu Dharma' is because the phrase itself reflects eternal, universal ethics or "laws." The phrase perhaps goes as far back as Atharva Veda wherein in Hymn XCI[1] it mentions the "eternal Law" and "eternal Order". It is also mentioned in the Bhagavad Gitā as "Sanātanah Dharme." Kurukṣetra War when Arjuna calls Krishna "the protector of the Eternal Religion" is noted in the Bhagavad Gitā.[2] The idea of a "protector of the eternal religion" has been taken up by the Swamy Nārāyaṇa sect which uses the phrase Sanātan Dharma Sanrakśak. Even certain Hindu sects use the phrase 'Sanatan Dharma' or a version of it in a different language. For example the Bon sect uses the phrase 'Yungdrung Bon' which means Eternal Religion. Jainism too has used the phrase 'Eternal True Dharma'.[3]

Contents

In mainstream Hindu usage

Compassion and charity

Charity[4] is considered as a virtue in religion that rewards good karma to the generous giver. It is one of the 10 niyamas.[5] Both Dāna and dayā are expounded by Patanjali to the asuras[6] to civilize them. Kama is to be conquered by dama or self-control, krodha is to be overcome by dayā or compassion and lobha or greed by dāna or gifts.</ref> In the "Pativratya-mahatmya Parva" of the Mahābharata, in the "Vara Parva, "Savitri is following devaYama into the beyond and he is taking away Satyavan. Yama asks her to stay back. She says: Where my husband is being taken, or where he goes, I should follow him. This is the Sanātan Dharma. A little later when she pursues her path and Yama asks her to return, she says, "Compassion and charity are the Sanātan Dharma."[7]

Compassion for others goes to the extent of respecting the proper burial of adversaries. In Ramāyaṇa[8] of Valmiki, the rakṣasa[9] Virādha says to Rama to give his body a proper burial because it is the Sanātana Dharma to give a rakṣasa such.[10]

Truthfulness

Truthfulness is one of the Panchavratas or Five Vows prescribed in religion, and its importance is reiterated by the scriptures connecting truth with religion. The Manu Smṛti[11] declares, "Speak truth that is pleasant. Never speak truth that is not pleasant. Don't speak a lie, even if it is pleasant to hear. This is the Sanātan Dharma."[12] The "Shanti Parva" of the Mahabharata declares, "It is good to speak truthfully; better still to speak truthfully; better still to speak what may benefit others. This is the Sanātan Dharma."

Marital faithfulness

According to the the Bṛhaspati, a husband and wife should remain faithful to each other from the time of their agnihotra[13] to death.[14]